Board Solutions Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Position Title: 

Board Solutions Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Pay Rate: 

PL17 

$125,900 - $167,800

(PL varies by experience)

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift: 

Salaried Full-Time 

Location: 

Remote – Ability to travel up to ~80%

The Job You Will Perform: 

The Board Solutions Group works closely with Packaging Solutions of North America (PSNA) to support tactical and strategic initiatives to improve results and drive business strategy to achieve or exceed their targeted performance levels. This involves the use of expertise and leadership gained through years of experience to deliver improvement within the manufacturing system. Board  Solutions SME’s work together within all of the PSNA facilities to improve paper machine performance, reduce variability, improve quality and lower manufacturing costs. 

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) position is accountable for delivering results on a wide range of assignments, short and long-term, across our mill system.  The SME must work well with varied teams and be able to quickly engage employees from all levels of the organization from executive to the shop floor, and influence vendors and contractors. 

The Subject Matter Expert position functions as an internal consultant, and is expected to lead the development of projects and produce improvement in the area of expertise anywhere in the company.  The duties range widely between safety leadership, troubleshooting, optimization, teaching, deliberate improvement projects, capital projects, process audits, strategic studies, and mentoring.

SME key attributes include:

• Operates with minimal supervision, independently prioritizing work aligned to business and enterprise needs

• Leads complex, multi-mill technical initiatives delivering measurable improvements in safety, reliability, quality, cost, and capability

• Influences outcomes across organizational boundaries, including mill leadership, vendors, and contractors

• Balances strategic thinking with hands-on technical execution

Key responsibilities include:

• Safety leadership in mill, pilot, laboratory, and office environments

• Diagnosing and resolving high-impact papermaking process

• Recognized resource for technical troubleshooting, non-capital, and capital solutions for wet end of the paper machine including headboxes, forming sections, press sections, and associated auxiliary equipment.

• Executing pilot and paper machine trials

• Developing and implementing capital and process improvement projects

• Conducting process audits and strategic technical studies

• Building durable on-site technical capability through the ability to interface, technically develop, and mentor others at mill sites to assist in project development within the area of expertise

• Communicating technical findings to all organizational levels

• Ability to drive results and self-manage priorities on multiple simultaneous projects

The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring: 

• Minimum 15 years of paper machine process experience with at least 5 years in paper manufacturing

  • Ability to travel up to ~80%

  • Recognized expert in papermaking process with concentration in wet end applications including headboxes, forming, and press sections

  • Ability to independently scope and deliver complex technical work

  • Demonstrated leadership focused on accountability and results

  • Enterprise-level influence and credibility with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate to groups and individuals at all levels

  • Strong analytical troubleshooting skills and the ability to use organized data based approaches to resolve issues

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, Paper Science, or Related Business Field is preferred, industry experience will be considered

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets. 

The Career You Will Build:

As a Technology SME, you will operate as a senior technical contributor within International Paper’s Technology Career Ladder, delivering enterprise-level impact through independent execution and influence.

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP. 

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com

International Paper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement - Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

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